Driver refused bail over 'horrific' M4 fatal crash
A man charged with dangerous driving causing death after a tradesman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Sydney's M4 has been refused bail.
Irishman Francis Shanley, 36, died in the pile-up involving at least eight cars and a truck at the Church Street off-ramp in Mays Hill before 6am on Thursday.
About 200 metres of debris was left along the motorway following the crash.
Police arrested Francis Omigie, 53, on Friday night and charged him with dangerous driving occasioning death, a back-up charge of negligent driving occasioning death, failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, and two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
In Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, Omigie's lawyer Eiad Diyab said: "The accused, I'm told, had some ... mechanical problems and his intention was to change lanes to the left and unfortunately (this) has resulted in a pile-up."
"There was no damage to his vehicle. In his mind, it wasn't clear ... he was party to the accident."
He said Omigie, who migrated to Australia from Nigeria, was very distressed.
Police allege the Ropes Crossing man was driving a Toyota Echo that changed lanes on the motorway and then stopped, causing multiple collisions as a result.
The victim's ute was struck by a truck carrying kegs of beer.
Magistrate George Zdenkowski on Saturday refused bail on the basis of Omigie allegedly failing to stop and render assistance after the "horrific crash", and then seeking to evade police.
"These are of course extremely serious charges and certainly, should they be established to the required degree in due course in a court, are likely to entail a custodial penalty," he said.
Mr Shanley's Australian fiancee, Broc Nicholson, has since paid tribute to her "lucky charm Irish boy" on Facebook.
"He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed," she said in a post on Thursday night.
"I thank you all for your love, support and messages of kind words. Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet."
A mass for Mr Shanley, run by the NT Irish Association, will be held for his friends in Darwin at St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral on Saturday night.
Omigie will reappear via video link at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
AAP